SRINAGAR, Oct 12: The state commission for women today asked police to seek cooperation of people and civil society against braid chopping.

The recommendation was made by the commission during an open session, convened by chairperson Nayeema Ahmad Mahjoor, during an open session. The representatives from the civil society, education, police and media participated in the session, held with a view to deliberate upon and suggest measures to address the issues arising out of the incidents of braid chopping.

At the outset the chairperson of the commission expressed serious concern over the growing incidents of braid cutting being reported from various parts of valley, which has created fear psychosis and apprehensions in the society, a statement said.

The representative from the police informed that around 100 such cases have been reported from different districts of the valley in which FIRs have been lodged. “After thorough deliberations a number of suggestions were made for addressing the issue,” the statement added.

A recommendation said police needs to step in to reassure the public that the perception about the infiltration of invisible elements/hands having crept into the society for creating such a situation is not based on facts. This is important for restoring the shaken faith and confidence of the people in the system.

“The government through health department should also clear the air about the chemical spray and its adverse health impacts in the long run, as has the rumour spread among some sections of population. The special investigation teams of police and the committees formed by the government at the district level for the purpose should share outcome of their findings in such cases with the commission on regular basis. The government should also involve/ associate the state commission for women and the civil society, wherever and whenever such incidents are reported,” said the other recommendations.

It was also recommended that the top brass of the police need to sensitize their officials at the middle / lower rung to take the reports/ incidents of braid chopping very seriously, as the confusion and chaos on this account has the potential of vitiating peace in the valley.

“The chairperson state commission for women appeals the people in general and the civil society in particular to co-operate with the concerned authorities/ committees in addressing the issue. The people may also inform the commission on e-mail (jkwomenscommission@gmail.com), should any such incident come to their notice,” the statement added.

SRINAGAR, Oct 12: Chief minister Mehbooba Mufti today said the braid-chopping incidents are an attempt to undermine the dignity of women in the state.
“Braid chopping incidents are attempts to create mass hysteria and undermine the dignity of the women in the state,”she wrote on Twitter.
Mehbooba added that the government will ensure that motives behind these attacks are found.
“Government will ensure steps are taken to find the motives behind these attacks,” she said, in another tweet.